Wednesday’s announcement by Health and Human Services (HHS)’s Robert F. Kennedy that autism is likely to be caused by environmental toxins has led many of his previous loyal supporters to doubt the direction of his agency.
At a press conference Wednesday, Secretary Kennedy released the findings of the Landmark Center for Disease Control (CDC). investigation About autism.
“Overall, the prevalence of autism is increasing at an incredible rate. The prevalence of ASD at 8 years old is currently 1 in 31. It’s shocking. This is part of the relentless upward trend,” Kennedy announced.
President Trump has left me to identify the root causes of the outbreak of chronic childhood diseases, including autism. At a press conference on Wednesday, I shared new data. @cdcgov Autism and Developmental Disorder Surveillance Network Surveillance. Prevalence of autism in pic.twitter.com/i2h6nyqkdx
– Secretary Kennedy (@seckennedy) April 17, 2025
He also vowed to conduct a series of new studies to identify environmental toxins causing increased prevalence. He specifically stated that the research will consider mold, food additives, pesticides, air and water, and medicines.
Although the vaccine can be considered a drug, some Kennedy followers seemed confused that he didn’t specifically mention the vaccine as the root cause of autism.
“Bobby will have to say the V-word at some point soon,” tweeted Toby Rogers, a fellow at the Brownstone Institute:
Bobby has to say the V-word right away at some point. Follow it with bold and decisive action. We will protect our actions against the most intense corporate repulsion in history. I don’t know when that will happen, but “the only way is through.”
– Toby Rogers (@utobian) April 17, 2025
New skepticism follows Kennedy’s string of actions surrounding the measles outbreak in western Texas, and even his most vaccine skeptical supporters have questioned him.
On Fox News op-ed And again in X, Kennedy promotes measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines, writing, “The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.”
After losing my 8-year-old daughter Daisy, I came to Gaines County, Texas today. After she passed away in February, I got to know the family of six-year-old Kaylee Fahle. I have also built a bond and deep affection with other members…
– Secretary Kennedy (@seckennedy) April 6, 2025
It seemed to contradict past statements. In an interview with John Stosell in August 2024, Kennedy said he would not give his children the MMR vaccine.
In that same interview, Kennedy said, “Autism is caused by vaccines.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj2vyfzfkcu
But now, looking whispering a new song, Kennedy rubbed some of his own supporters the wrong way.
“I Bryce Lipscomb, a former Massachusetts local government representative, told the Daily Colener.
Lipscomb, a voluntary former Republican, has built a big supporter for X, mainly through his message I strongly support you Kennedy’s independent presidential bid and the nomination of his HHS secretary.
However, Lipscomb has been disillusioned with what it deemed an increasing number of content creators from the America (Maha) brand who are seeking self-promotion rather than enacting change.
“I think it’s a Maha movement It’s being hired by individuals who are more interested in themselves and have a reputation than helping Secretary Kennedy or Nicole Shanahan,” Lipcom told the caller. (Related: RFK’s National Health Movement has a major impact at the state level)
On Tuesday he announced he would no longer be identified with Maha.
“Instead, I will focus on medical freedom, food freedom, and freedom activism. Movements tend to produce worship of personality and I am no longer interested in helping to cultivate it,” he tweeted.
After serious prayers and consideration, I decided that I no longer lend my name to “movement.”
I no longer identify myself as “maha” or anything like that.
Instead, I will focus on medical freedom, food freedom, and free activities.
Movement tends to create cults…
– Brycemlipscomb (@brycemlipscomb) April 15, 2025
“I don’t think the Maha movement is responding to its promises. In fact, I think it’s stagnant and going in a very strange direction. Every single person has a podcast right now,” he continued.
Lipscomb points out that he still believes in Kennedy, and considers his toes around vaccine rhetoric to be part of a politically long game. However, he also expressed disappointment at the lack of transparency.
“If he has to play together to get along, let us know that this is what he’s doing. “Hey, that’s completely different to being a secretary at HHS. I thought we could do X, Y, Z.” [but that’s] It’s not the reality we live in now,” Lipscomb said.
“People have the right to be angry. He comes out and supports the MMR vaccine. He asked.
Kennedy believes he has to go with executives from a deal with Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (Help) Committee.
The moment before the committee was set to determine whether Kennedy’s HHS appointment would be favorably recommended to the Senate. It was revealed That he is Jesus’ vote for Kennedy’s confirmation. (Related: “The evidence is overwhelming”: RFK Jr. calls on CDC to stop fluoride recommendations)
Doctor Cassidy had previously expressed his reservation regarding Kennedy taking the HHS mantle. However, shortly after the aid vote, Cassidy took him to the Senate floor to explain that Kennedy had made many promises to him.
These promises include regular meetings with Kennedy and Cassidy and a pledge not to change medical providers’ messages about vaccines, Cassidy announced.
Senator Bill Cassidy went to the Senator’s floor to disclose the deal he made in exchange for a YES vote for RFK Jr.
Please read the following and tell us if it’s worth it.
-RFK JR will develop close collaborations with Cassidy at multiple meetings per month.
– Cassidy is… pic.twitter.com/gwwepzk0pt– Anna Mattson (@annarmatson) February 4, 2025
“I think Bill Cassidy is putting a lot of pressure on him,” Lipscomb told the caller. His feelings are widely shared throughout Maha.
Laurenley, a popular political content creator called April’s Cassidy “Maha’s Public Ainnan #1” Tweet.
“This raises questions about Cassidy’s harshness and raises his concerns about scientific truth and patient well-being,” Dr. Chris said. Tweet In response to Cassidy’s floor speech in February.
Lipscomb cited the Trump administration’s decision to yank the nomination of former Republican Rep. Dave Weldon to become CDC director as evidence of Cassidy’s influence.
“His mission is basically to undermine anything Kennedy does. And the crappy thing is, Kennedy just needs to take it,” Lipscomb said.
The Trump administration took Weldon’s nomination in March.
Many Maha supporters online have accused Cassidy and moderate Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins for not supporting Weldon’s nomination, but staff of both senators told Daily Coller that they had previously been undecided and had not made up their minds at Weldon.
His final alternative, Susan Monares, was previously deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Office (ARPA-H).
“She is not a maha. She represents the worst. She wants to bring AI into our healthcare. There is nothing about this individual that screams will make America healthy again. Let’s make sure we can track our health through this,” Lipscomb said.
Daily callers contacted the offices of HHS and Senator Cassidy for comment, but did not respond by publication.
